How important is the computer to your research? In one or two ways it is incredibly useful. Firstly for MedLine http://ovid.bma.org.uk which I use for biomedical searches and references. In the old days I used to spend ages looking through journals but the internet has made it possible at the click of a mouse. Email is also now indispensable.

What computer are you using? I have a Dell desktop and a Sony Vaio laptop. I also have a Compaq iPaq but I need my electronic diary on it, which means my PA has to input everything manually. My husband has one of the collapsible keyboards for his so I am hoping to get one of those to save having to take the laptop everywhere. I think it will be wonderful once the handhelds can run PowerPoint, as that has revolutionised giving lectures.

How has the computer changed the scientist's life? It has made the interchange of information much more effective. I am still in two minds about the amount of publications that go on the net because a lot of the information is not necessarily refereed.

Will we ever see a sentient computer? We will certainly see more heuristic computers that know in advance to make certain responses if certain things happen. We will also have more personalised computers that can anticipate things we are going to do. As far as a conscious computer goes, or one that enjoys an "inner state", I don't think we will see that. Moreover, even if we did have one I don't see how it would give us an insight into how consciousness is generated because if it already had consciousness it would be in the same position as a biological brain!

How do you see science harnessing technology in the future? We will see a much greater overlap between the IT sciences and biomedical science. The most obvious application is with nanotechnology - where you are devising tiny machines to be implanted in the body that can monitor the silting up of an artery, for instance.

How do you feel about the cybernetics experiments of people such as Kevin Warwick? Certainly the concept of the cyborg - of having neuronal prosthesis that augment perhaps people with disabilities - is hugely important. If one could give someone who is a paraplegic some kind of power over the external world then that would be marvellous. If it is a question of making someone like Kevin more bionic or superhuman, one should not rule it out just because of the "yeuch" factor! That kind of work is important, as is the development of robots. A more omniscient robot could be adapted to do dangerous or unpleasant things.